Equivalences

Congruence, as opposed to equivalence or approximation, is a relation which implies a kind of equivalence, though not complete equivalence. from Wikipedia


ITEM: Waterboarding, and CIA Torture Photos

The Obama Administration is discovering that it is impossible to be pacifistic when in power. Not that they haven’t tried, particularly through their craven appeasement of the Muslim World and their allies [Chavez, et al.]. Yet to a certain degree they realize we are at war; witness the “flip-flop” regarding the torture pics, which in a sense is comforting, because beyond the “hearts and minds” issue, someone realizes that the PR war is part of the war effort as a whole (something that the last Administration ignored).
Also, it interesting to see the Republicans grill Nancy Pelosi regarding when she knew about waterboarding, and her almost offhanded “I was for it before I was against it”; she knows that the Republicans tried this gambit with the Iraq War, and while it worked in 2004, it can only further highlight their complete lack of credibility on—well, just about anything.


ITEM: Non-Proliferation

In its attempt to TL the Government of Iran, the Obama Administration is trying to make equivalences between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran’s drive toward arming themselves. Additionally, Obama has blindly pursued non-proliferation with a vigor unseen since JFK made it a personal crusade, and there is unspoken pressure on Israel because now rogue states can point to Israel’s “intransigence” on the issue.
I would hope that Obama is smart enough to realize that Israel’s policy of nuclear opacity provides enough of an indication that if they have it, it’s purely for defensive purposes. [OK, they have it, but that’s exactly the point.]
In contrast, when rogue states whose political philosophies are guided by a theology that MANDATES war to conquer and subdue the planet, and these rogue states actually “tout” the theological prestige that comes with the acquisition of nukes and other WMD, and then they threaten their use unfettered by any consideration other than eschatology…oh wait, I have to be careful here. Someone might think I’m talking about the Jews.


ITEM: Carrie Prejean, Obama, and Gay Marriage

Many conservatives are up in arms about the pressure brought to bear on the Miss Universe contestant for having the temerity to stand up for her beliefs. Plus, you hear, didn’t Obama say the same thing?
Not really. Context is everything. Prejean was definitely making a statement about what she thought was the moral incorrectness of gay marriage, and she probably would be equally against civil unions; Obama was more likely making a policy statement than a moral judgement. Political incorrectness combined with self-righteousness doesn’t make anyone popular.
Yet, while we deal with this topic, I would like to shatter one more “equivalence”: the notion that the reluctance to the powers-that-be to legalize gay marriage is as immoral as the now-discredited miscegenation laws that were on the books for so long. Actually, no; mixed couples risked imprisonment, and even sometimes exile from the state where said union was illegal. That won’t happen again. The legal disabilities imposed on gay couples may or may not be civil rights issues, but they certainly not as clear cut as that.



Item: Village Voice and NY Post Agree

http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-05-13/news/bloomberg-and-the-teachers-union/

Some might consider this the sign of the apocalypse, particularly if they work for any teachers’ unions. In a lead article in the Village Voice that looked more like a typical Post editorial excoriating UFT leader Randi Weingarten, Wayne Barrett unequivocally took sides against the unions: “the Mayor's campaigning is easy. So easy, he can roll over the union this time—and should.” For good measure, he even took a swipe at ACORN and linked them to failing schools. This in what most consider THE flagship organ of progressivism.

There may be hope for the children after all.